phosphorescence
noun
phos·pho·res·cence
ˌfäs-fə-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s 
1
: luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiations (such as light or electrons) and continues for a noticeable time after these radiations have stopped compare fluorescence
2
: an enduring luminescence without sensible heat
Examples of phosphorescence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The sun had set, but now the lake was full of phosphorescence so all the movement in the water left sparkling tracers.
—
Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024
The paintings are unnervingly picturesque: brilliant poppies against the violet-blue of a French afternoon, translucent ice floes glistening in the aquamarine waters of the Arctic, backlit palm trees in the eerie orange phosphorescence of a desert storm.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2023
The vaporous mist of the morning dew is really the phosphorescence of toxic radiation.
—Jeff Weiss, Spin, 21 Aug. 2023
Sure enough, phosphorescence lights the way.
—Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 25 Feb. 2023
In general, phosphorescence signals are much longer-lasting than their fluorescent counterparts, allowing the Biofinder to distinguish between them.
—Allison Gasparini, Scientific American, 27 July 2022
Abiotic minerals also emit their own light, called phosphorescence.
—Allison Gasparini, Scientific American, 27 July 2022
Unlike sparkling dinoflagellates, bioluminescent bacteria produce a constant phosphorescence.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 11 July 2022
Last was the stadium wave and sparkling light rolled around Bryant-Denny like phosphorescence in a boat wake.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 20 Nov. 2021
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Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024
The paintings are unnervingly picturesque: brilliant poppies against the violet-blue of a French afternoon, translucent ice floes glistening in the aquamarine waters of the Arctic, backlit palm trees in the eerie orange phosphorescence of a desert storm.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2023
The vaporous mist of the morning dew is really the phosphorescence of toxic radiation.
—Jeff Weiss, Spin, 21 Aug. 2023
Sure enough, phosphorescence lights the way.
—Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 25 Feb. 2023
In general, phosphorescence signals are much longer-lasting than their fluorescent counterparts, allowing the Biofinder to distinguish between them.
—Allison Gasparini, Scientific American, 27 July 2022
Abiotic minerals also emit their own light, called phosphorescence.
—Allison Gasparini, Scientific American, 27 July 2022
Unlike sparkling dinoflagellates, bioluminescent bacteria produce a constant phosphorescence.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 11 July 2022
Last was the stadium wave and sparkling light rolled around Bryant-Denny like phosphorescence in a boat wake.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 20 Nov. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Phosphorescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorescence. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phosphorescence
noun
phos·pho·res·cence
ˌfäs-fə-ˈres-ᵊn(t)s
1
: a light given off at low temperatures that is caused by the absorption of radiations (as X-rays or ultraviolet light) and continuing for a noticeable time after these radiations have stopped
2
: an enduring light given off with little heat
Medical Definition
phosphorescence
noun
phos·pho·res·cence
-ˈres-ᵊn(t)s
1
: luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiation at one wavelength followed by delayed reradiation at a different wavelength and that continues for a noticeable time after the incident radiation stops
2
: an enduring luminescence without sensible heat
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